Page 100 of Mariposa
He scratches the back of his head as he walks closer to me. His tall frame casts a shadow over my body.
“I’m just thinking about my mom and dad. She doesn’t stop texting me because she’s so worried. I keep telling her to stop watching the news, but she can’t help it.”
I wouldn’t know what that feels like.
“Also, my girlfriend is waiting for me at home. I can’t wait until the deployment is done so I can surprise her.” Smirking, he hollows his cheeks and takes another drag of his cigarette.
“Booker, you have a girlfriend?” I shriek with a smile.
How could he not? Booker is handsome and one of the funniest men I’ve ever met. Always cracking jokes in shitty situations, the same thing I like to do sometimes. A breeze blows through his sandy blonde hair. He sways his shoulders, making the bones pop—his thick mustache twitches when his lips curl nervously.
“Don’t act so surprised, Violet. It’s not good for my ego.”
Rolling my eyes, I shove him with my hand.
“Who’s waiting for you?” he pries.
His question rocks me harder than I thought it would. My face falls as I remember my grandmother’s condition. Chewing the inside of my lip, I shake my head. We haven’t been able to read letters together. I’ve been so busy at work.
“My grandparents.” I shrug, my tone distant and void of emotion.
“What about your mom? Any siblings?”
“You know what, Booker, I don’t want to talk about it. I’ll just say my grandparents are my only family right now.”
He nods once before throwing his cigarette into the trash can outside the back entrance of his building. Ambling closer to the door, his hand hovers over the knob as he peers over his shoulder. His boots skid across the ground before he stops.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mariposa…but that is not entirely true.”
I quirk a curious brow, placing my phone back into my pocket.
“What do you mean by that?”
His full lips lift into a genuine smile, barely visible over his thick, dark brown mustache.
“We’re your family too, Violet. You’ve got me, the team…” He pushes open the door as warmth spreads through my chest. He takes one step in as the shadows swallow half his body. He swivels his head toward me.
“And Kade.” He winks mischievously before closing the door behind him. My jaw falls open, and I turn around, wanting to hide the redness in my cheeks even though I’m alone.
He knows about Kade and me. I just know it.
Before I can take another step and head back toward my room, my phone vibrates.
Master Sergeant:
My office now.
Me:
Work? It’s almost midnight.
Master Sergeant:
It’s an order. My office now. It can’t wait.
Me:
I’ll be there in five.
